There IS A Ketchup Shortage, But Don’t Worry, Supply Will Ketchup

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Sorry, not sorry, for the headline. I mean, how often does a chance like that come along?

"Have you heard about the ketchup shortage?" There's seven words I'll bet no one imagined would ever be said. And yet here we are...with a shortage of ketchup packets. Don't worry, though. Heinze is increasing production, so supply will catch up to demand,

In a CNN Business story, a Denver restaurant owner admitted he was going to great lengths to procure ketchup packets.

"It's gotten so bad that when I go to McDonald's or Wendy's...I'll hoard those extra packets to bring back..."

This time there's no panicked-grocery-shelf-clearing to blame. It's something else entirely. It's the food service industry trying to keep people safe during the pandemic.

Instead of putting bottle of ketchup on the table, you'll get a ketchup packet or two with your order. Instead of 40 people touching the bottle, using a knife to get it out, or even toughing the rim with fingers, you get a ketchup packet. Someone doesn't use the ketchup packet? Wipe 'em down.

"Heinz, the biggest ketchup producer in the country, is at the epicenter of the problem and taking steps to address it. Just days ago, the company announced "a 25% increase in production, totaling 12 billion ketchup packets...a year." (CNN BUSINESS)

As Heinz is working to come through with the ketchuppy goodness, there are e-bay sellers working to cash in on the shortage (of course).

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com

Looking for Heinze Ketchup Pack Pictures, I came across artificial turtle soup. (rim shot)

Listen to James Rabe and Jessica Williams Weekday from 6 - 10 AM on Y-105 FM

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com

Listen to James Rabe and Jessica Williams Weekday from 6 - 10 AM on Y-105 FM

And speaking condiments, remember when Heinze starting mixing stuff together, like MayoChup? Well, I put my nose to the grindstone and came up with some combos I'd like to see...or not.